Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) threw a verbal punch at challenger James Fishback all while punches were almost literally thrown by a Fishback supporter and another man during a Collier County Republican Executive Committee (CCREC) event crash this week.
"He already had his time in front of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee," Donalds said in response to a Fishback supporter in the crowd. "I'm not afraid to debate anybody, sir. Because he's in single digits and he's not real," the Republican frontrunner continued likely in response as to why he won't debate the controversial candidate.
James Fishback was in attendance outside the door.
"As much as I don't agree with some of the antics, you don't see me running around coming in shouting down meetings yelling about this and yelling about that," Donalds added. "You know why? Because it is disrespectful and it takes away from the real goal, and the real goal of what we do is saving this nation, the greatest republican man has ever known. That is the goal of what we do."
But that wasn't the biggest crash by his supporters.
A physical altercation between a Fishback ally and a man, possibly a Donalds supporter and member of the CCREC, broke out in the doorway of the event while Rep. Donalds was speaking inside.
"Let him in. Let Fishback in," the man yells. The other man then can be seen physically touching the supporter before they both grab each other as a police officer intervenes and separates the two. Surrounded by a crowd of people, another officer escorts the Fishback ally out the doorway.
The man can also be heard yelling expletives at the Fishback supporter as he is escorted out. James Fishback, who crashed a Rep. Donalds Lake City event in June, can be seen talking to a police officer afterward in the background.
The political stunt is just the latest in a long line of instances from Fishback, who's credibility, as well as his eligibility to run for Florida governor, has come into question across the political landscape. Fishback has repeatedly insulted Rep. Donalds with racially charged remarks and innuendoes on the campaign trail.
Watch the altercation below:
